Drudge Report claims that Dave Chappelle, comedian and recent recipient of $50 million to continue producing Comedy Central's popular Chappelle's Show, has spoken out amidst speculation that he winged off to South Africa for drug treatment or psychiatric care.
"I figured, Let me just cut myself off from everybody, take a minute and pull a Flintstone-stop a speeding car by using my feet as the brakes. I am surprised at what I would do for $50 million. I am surprised at what people around me would do for me to have $50 million," Dave Chappelle tells TIME's Christopher John Farley in an exclusive interview.CHAPPELLE tells TIME he's not in mental hospital or drug rehab, debunking earlier reports in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY and elsewhere.
Dave Chappelle has always struck me as a laid back yet sharp-witted performer. The audio commentary on the DVD version of the first season of Chappelle's Show reveals a lucid, ambitious, and highly intelligent artist who was very careful about how he presented his material on camera.
So while Chappelle likes to play up his enjoyment of marijuana, my guess is that his sojourn to South Africa was more of a getaway than a get-me-away-from-drugs / mental health trip.
Here’s hoping that Chappelle and his Show are back in action soon.
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Update: Here's the Time story. A very interesting read, it showcases an attempt by a talented and successful man trying to stay sane amidst money, fame, and the trappings of both.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - swingingpuss
Eric, Chapelle should have gone to India for his treatment; medical costs are cheaper and there are creative ways to enjoy himself
2 - Eric Berlin
That's funny Swinging.
A sketch comedy group that I wrote for a number of years ago is now called Drunken Monkey.
They were called Johnny Kats back in the day...
3 - MJK
After reading this here
it really looks like Neal Brennan is the one who really freaked out...or at least changed with the big money...or just started to get jealous of Dave.
This article state's "Dave's inner-circle"..."not his family"..."material they were producing"...It's been said before that Neal IS his inner-circle.
It's not hard to believe that the material was rushed or came with a different attitude after the big money first presented itself.
And if this is indeed the case, then I think Entertainment Weekly owes Dave a big apology for jumping to break the mental institution story. EW is a cousin of TIME, right?
4 - Eric Berlin
MJK - I've updated the story with the Time article. I'm relieved after reading it: basically, Chappelle needed to get away from it all while dealing with mega-success, hangers-on, and the stress of trying to stay edgy as the stakes continue to rise. The voice that comes across is Dave being Dave: mellow, intelligent, introspective, funny.
So he'll be back. Good news for all of us.
5 - L. Cue
Thats creppy Eric...
what, did you have a wire in the secret studio I was at last night? I was in a debate about Dave, and I KNEW he wasnt in a rehab...I was almost ready to put money on it...but I was having that conversation around 1-2:30 in the morning...close to when you posted...creppy
6 - Eric Berlin
So you almost made money off Dave's situation but couldn't pull the trigger on the bet?
How'd you know?
7 - sydney
I don't see where there is any indication that he ever used any drugs. I mean of course he might have been a secret user, but this article seems to suggest that he possibly could have been in rehab for weed?
Anyone who ever smoked weed would realize its not a drug you need rehab for. OR at least I've never in my life heard of anyone who wanted to quit but couldnt. Despite its toxicity, it doesnt have that sort of addictive power as far as I'm concerened.
8 - Tristan
and I've worked in Treatment centers for 8 years; one of them being Hazelden- the most acclaimed in the world, and I have never seen anyone ever treated for marijuana...there IS no treatment for it..it is not an addictive drug.
9 - Eric Berlin
T & S: In my experience marijuana is addictive for some, and not for others... just like another drug called alcohol. Some can quit heavy usage, others can't, while most users do so with some degree of moderation. Marijuana is known as a "gateway drug," but I believe if that's the case, it's due to its illegal status (in the US, anyway).
All I wrote in my original post is that Chappelle likes to play up his affection for the herb. If you've seen Half Baked, you'll know what I mean. His stage persona is of a drowsy, intelligent, affable pot head. I have no idea whether he is or is not a head: I've never hung with the dude, nor have I claimed to.
I then went on to speculate that his trip to South Africa was a getaway, which the Time article proves out.
10 - Tristan
as I said: marijuana is not addictive.
Alcohol IS totally addictive---
and the withdrawals from alcohol are worse than even heroin withdrawals; 1 in 10 people that are in a HOSPITAL setting with medical staff treating--that goes into Delirium Tremors (DT's--alcohol withdrawal)---will DIE...!!!!!
Ther is NO withdrawal from marijuana.
11 - Eric Berlin
There are people who smoke marijuana every day and would like to stop but can't. So, they're addicted.
12 - sydney
ERic, I think your mistaken.
People who can't quit marijuana can't because they simply dont care too. They haven't the motication to do it. Anyone who makes up their miind to stop it can do it without problem.
Marijuana is like ice cream, if you liek eating it and can't see a problem with eating it than you will continue to. Hoever, if you decide it is bad for your health and want to won't than you wont have a problem doing so. other than to brake a pyschological habit that is....
But people don't go to reahab to quit sweets, or ice cream or marijuana.
13 - Eric Berlin
Source: Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, Oct 23, 2000 v12 i41 p6
14 - HW Saxton
I used to like to smoke herb a lot when
I was younger and I still don't see that
anything's wrong with smoking it.As long
as you are responsible about it.IE: Not
smoking in front of or around children.
Keep it private.Do it either at home or
well away from the public view.Do not be
driving while ripped to the gills after
bonging out all night. Accept any & all
responsibility for your actions while
stoned.I still smoke it once in a while,
but as an adult this is just not a vice
you can indulge in if & when you get the
notion.Too many other responsibilities
to take care of plus good herbage ain't
cheap! And, workplace drug testing can
derail your career overnight.So it isn't
worth risking it to me.
The fact that people are allowed to get
drunk whenever they want without any
fear of retribution seems to be highly
hypocritical as alcohol is infinitely
more debilitating than the herb is.The
damage that alcohol causes families &
individuals is huge.All the broken homes
and shattered lives,health damage,wrecks
and accidents are well documented. Many
violent crimes are committed under the
influence of drink.It's very rare that
you hear about anybody getting pissed
and shooting up a bar or club after they
smoked one too many bong hits.It's an
every day occurence that police respond
to drink related fights that've gotten
out of control or escalated to murder.
But I've never ever felt any sort of a
withdrawal symptom from weed and could
not imagine anyone having to go through
detox or rehab because of rocking the
ganja a bit too much.I've gotten grouchy
and a little irritable at times when I
have quit using herb at times but I have
always been back to *normal in a day or
two.
*Normal being a relative term,of course.
15 - Eric Berlin
HW -- I stand by my point: marijuana is a recreational drug that many people can handle in a reasonable and responsible way. I agree that the laws are hypocritical and that marijuana should be legalized.
However, I also stand by my point that both alcohol and marijuana are addictive for some. How much so and to what degree are subject to debate by those more qualified than me.
16 - Tristan
Eric: you are simply WRONG.
According to all treatment centers that are reputable in the United States, if there is no WITHDRAWAL---there is no addiction; it might be psychologically COMPULSIVE--as sex, gambling, etc., but if there is no physical withdrawal--there can be no addiction or actual treatment.
Now if you think you are more intelligent than the entire Substance Abuse Community in the United States, and ALL of the Treatment Professionals---then so be it!
17 - Victor Plenty
Tristan, you are simply WRONG to call Eric wrong on this.
There are a number of substance abuse treatment professionals who do consider marijuana addictive. Your inability to find them doesn't prove their nonexistence.
18 - Tristan
I guess you know more than the best Certified Addictions Professionals in the United States as well Victor ..????
You know what they say: sometimes it's better to remain silent and let everybody think you are a fool---than to open your mouth and remove all doubt, eh Victor?
19 - Eric Berlin
Tristan -- I issued my opinion, and then backed it up by quoting a passage from Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly.
I'm sure there will be those that have a different opinion.
20 - Eric Berlin
And Victor: thanks!
21 - Victor Plenty
Nah, I just know you're confused, Tristan. You are confusing "addiction" with "physical dependence."
If there are no physical withdrawal symptoms, there is no physical dependence. However, this is not the same thing as addiction.
Addiction is defined as behavior that continues in spite of negative consequences. By this definition, widely accepted in the medical field, some users of marijuana are addicted, although certainly not all of them.
22 - Eric Berlin
Very important distinction there.
23 - gonzo marx
ummm..i like the ice cream analogy..
i bet if you tried the same testing quoted above with ice cream, you woudl find the same behaviour in those mice
or chocolate...or >insert pleasurable by physically harmless food stuff here<
hell...i like orange soda, i drink a glass or two every day..it makes me smile..
am i addicted?
Excelsior!
24 - Eric Berlin
Gonzo -- If that works for you, that's cool with me and I'm all for it.
I'm a Ben & Jerry's man myself, and I'm trying like hell right now to stay away from it.
25 - Tristan
Gonzo~~~ obviously they would rather be right than happy; let's just leave them alone with their little "game".....
the children need to play, eh !!!